What is CVS Electronic Access? (Everything is known!)
Everything is online now. With healthcare growing exponentially every year, it makes sense for a company like CVS to pivot to the digital realm.
So you may have seen that CVS offers electronic access. Maybe you’ve been wondering what exactly I am and how they work?
What is CVS Electronic Access?
CVS electronic access is online Health counseling and treatment provided by CVS Health MinuteClinic and launched in the United States in 2020 at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
These health consultations (or telehealth consultations) are designed to provide high-quality and convenient treatment that you can get at home. MinuteClinic is the company’s (CVS) retail medical clinic, and they have started offering services in 35 states with plans to expand.
Patients select virtual e-clinics through their local MinuteClinic provider and can schedule appointments through the CVS Pharmacy app.
Clients will pay about $59 for a consultation, which usually lasts about 15 minutes, and the patient must be at least 2 years old.
What is CVS Health?
CVS Health Corporation (or Consumer Value Stores) is an American healthcare company that owns CVS Pharmacy, a retail pharmacy chain and many other brands. The company is headquartered in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
They pledged to “advance health equity in America,” which includes investing in critical programs and providing care to all communities.
Why did CVS introduce electronic access?
CVS is looking for a way all Patients can access health care quickly, easily and safely by “enabling them to adhere to important shelter-in-place and social distancing guidelines.”
Qualified care providers provide treatment for a range of non-emergency health problems. Before the electronic visit, which will be by phone or computer, the provider will ask a series of questions to assess your condition and help choose a treatment option.
The provider will then review your responses and your medical history before starting the video-enabled visit.
E-Clinic access is from 9am to 5pm and you can access video visits 24/7. The price of an e-clinic visit depends on your insurance coverage and the services you need, but it’s usually around $59 per consultation.
What is CVS Minute Clinic?
MinuteClinic is a division of CVS (Consumer Value Stores) Health that provides retail clinic services and was founded in Minnesota by Dr. Douglas Smith as QuickMedx. MinuteClinic now has more than 1,100 locations in 33 states and the District of Columbia.
For example, MinuteClinics provides patients with standard flu shots and cholesterol screening, and can diagnose and treat common diseases, injuries and skin conditions.
MinuteClinics can also administer vaccinations and medical exams, and issue prescriptions when needed, and a doctor’s note when medically necessary. They also provide contraceptive services and support, as well as alcohol and tobacco service guidance.
MinuteClinics consists of prescribing nurse practitioners and physician assistants who work under the supervision of physicians who may not be on site.
Can I get a doctor’s certificate from CVS?
During virtual appointments, doctors are able to provide you with a record of care based on their diagnosis of your condition and its necessary treatment.
MinuteClinics will make sure your primary care provider receives information about your visit. You will get a summary of all visit details, at which point you can remind Minute Clinic to send a copy to your primary care provider as well.
However, this cannot be done without your permission. You do not have to make this decision at consultation. If you forget or make a decision later, you can still organize sending the information to your regular doctor.
What insurance does CVS MinuteClinic accept?
CVS accepts most types of insurance plans, including Aetna, Humana, Cigna, Blue Shield, and United Health Care. It’s best to contact your insurance provider to verify your coverage. E-Clinics is now working to contract with most insurance plans.
Be sure to show your insurance card or prescription benefit card when buying drugs at CVS. After you provide your insurance information, CVS will check your insurance plan and any paperwork required.
If your insurance does not cover your claim, CVS Careteam will work with your doctor to find another drug that is effective for you and that is covered by your insurance.
Which is better: MinuteClinic outpatient consultation or e-consultation?
MinuteClinic providers are no longer accepting walking patients, but you can still make outpatient appointments if you feel this delivery method is better for your needs than a virtual visit.
MinuteClinics is taking precautions to reduce the spread of Covid-19, including pre-screening all patients for symptoms outside the clinic before entering.
Want to learn more about CVS? Be sure to read these following posts to find out if you can print documents at CVS and if CVS takes passport photos.
in conclusion….
Electronic visits are a new form of health counseling for most of us, but this offering, which can be quite confusing to some, is likely to remain.
The success of e-consultation is largely dependent on the plight of individual patients and the complexity of their health problems.
